Volume 60 (2010) Issue: 2010 No#2-3

MODIFICATIONS OF PLATELET AGGREGATION DURING TREADMILL SECTION AND OBSTACLE COURSE IN ATHLETIC HORSE

Author(s): Piccione G, Assenza Anna, Casella Stefania, Giannetto Claudia, Tosto F, Caola G

Keywords:different workload, horse, physical exercise, platelet aggregation

Eight clinically healthy Sella Italiana horses were used in order to assess the variations of platelet aggregation in response to different workload. Blood samples were collected from each horse at rest, immediately after exercise and 30 min after the end of the exercise. By means of an aggregometer platelet aggregation was quantitated as maximum degree of platelet aggregation and initial velocity platelet aggregation. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to determine significant differences (p<0.05) due to the intensity of exercise and different experimental condition. Our results showed a similar trend of platelet aggregation between treadmill and obstacle course, but statistically significant differences emerged on studied parameters in relation to different workload. These results showed an inhibition of platelet response that probably represents a protective endothelial mechanism through the production of nitric oxide during different workloads in athletic horses.